Ragdoll vs Siberian Cat: Which Breed is Right for You?

This article will discuss an in-depth comparison of Ragdoll vs Siberian, the two fluffy and adorable grayish cats that win the hearts of many.

If you’re considering adding a feline companion to your family, understanding these breeds’ unique characteristics, personalities, and care needs can help you make an informed decision.

Read further to learn which cat breed among the two would be the better pick for your family.

Siberian vs Ragdoll: An Overview

1. About the Siberian Cat Breed

The Siberian cat, originally from Siberia, Russia, also known as Moscow longhairs, features a thick fur coat ideal for cold weather. Siberian cats are friendly and loving pets, as they get close to humans quite easily and quickly.

And since these adorable cats are pretty healthy, they are among the favorite pet choices.

2. About Ragdoll Cat Breed

Ragdoll cats were made in California by a breeder around the 1960s. They are known as a pointed breed because they have more dominant points than their body color.

They are very social cats with chill personalities, which can be very helpful if you want this type of cat. Despite their laid-back attitude, they are also considered loving and affectionate.

If you are thinking of a loyal pet – nothing beats the loyalty that Ragdoll cats have to their owners!

Ragdoll vs Siberian Cat: Differences

1. Appearance and Coat

Ragdoll

Ragdoll cats have captivating blue eyes that are perfectly shaped in an oval. With their long fur coats and bushy tails, some cat owners might have a hard time distinguishing between Ragdolls and Siamese because they look like Siamese in appearance.

One of the characteristics, however, that is unique to Ragdolls is their coat which has a wide array of colors, mainly seal, chocolate, and lilac. Their fur coats also have a variety of patterns:

If you are interested in cat breeding and want a specific type of Ragdoll cat, you may check out this colors chart by Richard Kauffman for reference.

The picture below is an example of a seal point Ragdoll cat

Siberian cat

The distinct features of them are those rounded eyes that are green, gold, copper, or a combination of these colors. Some rare ones have blue eyes with beautiful white coats.

In general, they have medium-length fur coats in various colors, including blue, black, and silver. Their coats are distinctive because they have three layers of water-resistant and come in diverse color patterns ranging from tortoise, black, gray, chocoalte, cinamen, ornage, and white.

2. Cat size comparison

Ragdolls are generally larger than Siberian cats, that could weigh around 17.5 (lbs) or 8 kg if male and 16.5 lbs (7kg) if female. They are known as one of the largest cat breeds.

Siberian cats, however, are classified as medium to large-sized cats. The maximum weight recorded for this cat breed is 15 lbs (7.5 kg) for males, and 14.3 lbs (6.5 kg) for females.

To have an idea of how big can a Ragdoll or Siberian cat grow, you can check this size chart (growth chart) for more details:

As you can see here in this weight chart, Ragdoll cats have a higher tendency to be bigger than Siberians. However, even though Ragdolls mature at 4, Siberians need another year to reach adulthood.

3. Cat temperament

Both cats are very loving and friendly. However, Ragdoll cats are more known for their softness towards humans than Siberians.

Ragdoll

They say that Ragdoll is named the way it is because when cat owners pick up a Ragdoll cat, it falls limp. Thus, we can say how soft, gentle, and loving Ragdolls are. They also love to be cuddled and clingy towards their owners.

Despite their sweet nature, Ragdolls also love being laid-back and chill. They are not the most active cat breed and can get depressed if you leave them alone for too long.

Siberian

Siberians, on the other hand, are not as clingy as Ragdolls. They are usually independent and prefer their alone time. Compared to Ragdolls, they are more active and love executing their jumping skills.

Even though they are not as clingy, they are known for their protective nature among other cat breeds.

4. Health and Care

Caring Needs

Ragdolls are considered low-maintenance pets. Although they require regular cleaning and brushing once a day to keep their fur coat healthy and soft, as well as nail trimming and ear cleaning, those are basic cat care needs that any other breed needs too!

However, Siberians do not need daily brushing of their coats, which will save you time. But remember that their coats are prone to matting and greasiness, so you might need to look out for that and take them to the tub when that happens.

Same with Ragdolls, Siberians need regular ear cleaning, nail trimming, and checkups to maintain their health and hygiene.

Health Issues

The lifespan of Siberian is way shorter than that of Ragdolls, with a rough estimate of 8 to 12 years while Ragdoll cats can live up to 12 to 18 years.

The most common issues that these two encounter are the following:

5. Cat Cost

Despite other factors that can determine the cost of a specific breed, Ragdolls are estimated to cost around $800 to $4000 while Siberians have an estimated cat price of $1500 to $4000.

6. Pros and cons

Ragdoll

Siberian

Which is Right for You?

There are factors you need to consider before adopting a Siberian or Ragdoll cat, such as:

• Lifestyle

Even though both cat breeds are equally loving and cute, consider the lifestyle they need to keep as they grow up. If you’re a home person and don’t mind a low-maintenance and clingy cat, Ragdolls might be for you. However, suppose you constantly need to go out for work or any activity. In that case, Siberians might be the better option.

• Allergies

Both cat breeds are considered hypoallergenic – Ragdoll because of their coats and Siberians because of their saliva, so if you have allergies, this can be a game changer regarding which cat breed you should choose.

• Outdoor Comfortability

Suppose you have a wide backyard and you let your other pets roam around the yard. In that case, Ragdolls might not be the best option for you because this cat is known for their sensitivity to weather conditions and territorial fights.

Siberians, however, are fine with outdoor activities.

For a broader perspective, consider the discussions happening on Reddit about this topic. Join the conversation here:

Should I adopt a Siberian or a Ragdoll? Anybody has both?
byu/veritasluxmea_ inragdolls

FAQs

Are Ragdoll and Siberian cats hypoallergenic?

Yes, both of them are hypoallergenic, so if you have allergies, it might not be a good idea to risk it.

Do Ragdolls and Siberian cats get along well with other pets?

Absolutely! Both cat breeds have similar personalities, making them very amiable with one another.

What cat is similar to Ragdoll?

Birman and Ragdoll cats are so similar in appearance and even personalities that it is hard to distinguish which is which.

Is there a Siberian ragdoll mix?

There could be Siberian ragdoll kittens, but they are not common. Indeed, it can happen through cat breeding.

Is there a Russian ragdoll cat?

Although they can look very similar, Ragdoll cats are not the same as pointed Siberian cats with blue-colored eyes.

Conclusion

I hope this comprehensive comparison: Ragdoll vs Siberian Cat has helped you distinguish the two cat breeds.

Despite their almost-alike personalities, there are still known differences between them that set them apart and can be factors for deciding which breed suits your lifestyle and personality best!

Regardless, taking care of whichever cat breed you choose and enjoying your life with them is the most important thing for us, cat owners